Lighting up the community for the holidays

Truro Daily News

Published: Dec 17, 2014 at midnight

Updated: Sep 30, 2017 at 8:07 a.m.

<span class="Normal">Weir Avenue resident Bob MacPhee is this year's Light Up Bible Hill winner. MacPhee has been putting his special decorating touch on his property for 20 years. He enjoys celebrating the season and spreading Christmas joy to others. <br /></span>

<span class="Normal">The annual Light Up Bible Hill event helped residents get into the Christmas spirit. A busload of more than 50 people recently toured the village to see lit and decorated properties. A panel of community judges voted Bob MacPhee, of Weir Avenue, the first-place winner.</span>

BIBLE HILL - Bob MacPhee never intended to win Light Up Bible Hill. However, that's exactly what he did.

The Weir Avenue resident, along with his wife Christina, take great joy in decorating their yard for Christmas. Their efforts are attracting many compliments and resulted in being chosen first-place winner of Light Up Bible Hill, a friendly competition that focuses on the best lit and decorated properties in the village.

"I'm very pleased ... but I never even thought of that," MacPhee told the Truro Daily News, adding he didn't

know his property was being considered for the annual competition.

The village's parks and recreation department tour the village and recommend properties to be considered for Light Up Bible Hill. Shortly after, a busload of more than 50 people view the short-listed properties and judges determine the winner.

Brendon Smithson, director of the village's recreation department, said at least 20 homes were viewed and the Weir Avenue property was the unanimous choice.

"It was decorated on the front, side and back. There were lots of ‘ohhs and ahhs' from the people on the bus," said Smithson.

MacPhee appreciates the honour, but says it's really all about finding joy in the season.

"The whole purpose is to celebrate the Lord's birth. It's a way of expressing good feelings about the season."

Christmas is one of MacPhee's favourite times of the year and he can recall plenty of decorating indoors as a child as well as setting up a manger in honour of the season. A manger is still part of his decorating even as an adult.

His yard also boasts of a Mr. and Mrs. Santa, snowmen, shepherds, angels, a tree, candles, a star and up to 15 sets of lights and wreaths on the door.

"We've been decorating about 20 years and the neighbours like it. Sometimes we will see people slow down when they drive by," said MacPhee, adding the decorations were up by Dec. 6 and took about three days to complete.

As for the future, MacPhee will continue to decorate his home and property. However, he believes the contest honours should be shared with others.

"I don't think I should get it a second time," he humbly said.

He also hopes more people will begin decorating their properties.

"I'd like to see more lights on houses. It's all part of the season and people like that."

mchiasson@trurodaily.com

Twitter: tdnMonique

What: Light Up Bible Hill

Winners

First place - Bob MacPhee (Weir Avenue)

Second place - Wanda Woolaver (Saywood Drive)

Third place - The Thompson family (Retson Drive)

Prizes: Each property owner was given a Light Up Bible Hill winner sign to place in their yard. They also received a gift certificate from a local business.

The Weir Avenue resident, along with his wife Christina, take great joy in decorating their yard for Christmas. Their efforts are attracting many compliments and resulted in being chosen first-place winner of Light Up Bible Hill, a friendly competition that focuses on the best lit and decorated properties in the village.

"I'm very pleased ... but I never even thought of that," MacPhee told the Truro Daily News, adding he didn't

know his property was being considered for the annual competition.

The village's parks and recreation department tour the village and recommend properties to be considered for Light Up Bible Hill. Shortly after, a busload of more than 50 people view the short-listed properties and judges determine the winner.

Brendon Smithson, director of the village's recreation department, said at least 20 homes were viewed and the Weir Avenue property was the unanimous choice.

"It was decorated on the front, side and back. There were lots of ‘ohhs and ahhs' from the people on the bus," said Smithson.

MacPhee appreciates the honour, but says it's really all about finding joy in the season.

"The whole purpose is to celebrate the Lord's birth. It's a way of expressing good feelings about the season."

Christmas is one of MacPhee's favourite times of the year and he can recall plenty of decorating indoors as a child as well as setting up a manger in honour of the season. A manger is still part of his decorating even as an adult.

His yard also boasts of a Mr. and Mrs. Santa, snowmen, shepherds, angels, a tree, candles, a star and up to 15 sets of lights and wreaths on the door.

"We've been decorating about 20 years and the neighbours like it. Sometimes we will see people slow down when they drive by," said MacPhee, adding the decorations were up by Dec. 6 and took about three days to complete.

As for the future, MacPhee will continue to decorate his home and property. However, he believes the contest honours should be shared with others.

"I don't think I should get it a second time," he humbly said.

He also hopes more people will begin decorating their properties.

"I'd like to see more lights on houses. It's all part of the season and people like that."

mchiasson@trurodaily.com

Twitter: tdnMonique

What: Light Up Bible Hill

Winners

First place - Bob MacPhee (Weir Avenue)

Second place - Wanda Woolaver (Saywood Drive)

Third place - The Thompson family (Retson Drive)

Prizes: Each property owner was given a Light Up Bible Hill winner sign to place in their yard. They also received a gift certificate from a local business.